Landlords tend to have a laundry list of tasks when preparing their rental property for new tenants, from completing routine repairs and maintenance to completing a deep clean so it’s in perfect condition. However, one task that is often overlooked by landlords when preparing for new tenants is changing the locks throughout the property.
As a landlord, you might be wondering should I change the locks for new tenants? After all, many landlords have a high turnover of tenants, especially when owning multiple properties, so the idea of constantly changing locks can often feel like a major undertaking.
Whether you’re an experienced landlord or changing tenants for the first time, be sure to check out this locksmith-approved guide by Lock & Key Leeds professionals on what you need to know about changing locks for new tenants!
Are Landlords Legally Required to Change Locks for New Tenants?
Here in the UK, there are currently no laws that require landlords to change locks when changing tenants. So, while there is no legal obligation to swap out locks throughout your rental property, there are still plenty of reasons why you should do so:
Keep Your Rental Property Secure
One of the main reasons why landlords should always consider changing locks to their rental property is to boost security. While most departing tenants won’t be a security threat to the property, there is always the chance that they or someone they know has duplicate keys.
So, it never hurts to be safe and change the old locks throughout the property to ensure that no one except the landlord has access. Consider calling a local locksmith who can rekey the existing locks for a quick and convenient security update for the property and arriving tenants!
Help New Tenants Feel Safe
Telling your new tenants that you have changed all the locks before they move in is a great way to give them peace of mind in their new home. Great tenants are worth their weight in gold, so going above and beyond to make them feel safe with new locks is an investment that pays for itself!
After all, safer tenants increase the chances of a longer tenancy, resulting in a steadier stream of rental income for landlords, while avoiding the hassle of constantly searching for new occupants.
Avoid Liabilities
If new tenants experience a break-in due to the burglar using a copy of the old keys, then the landlord may face legal consequences. As a landlor you have a legal obligation to keep tenants and their belongings safe while they live on your property. So, it’s never worth risking their safety and your reputation by keeping old locks in place!
Always Call a Professional Locksmith to Change Locks for New Tenants
If you’re a landlord and want to change locks for new tenants, it can often be tempting to try the job yourself to save some money. However, it’s highly recommended that you call a professional locksmith for the job!
Not only will a locksmith complete the work quickly and efficiently, but they will also provide documentation that the locks have been changed and can suggest the right locks for your needs.
Reasons Landlords Avoid Changing Locks for New Tenants
The most common reason why landlords avoid changing locks for new tenants is to save money. It’s understandable why this is tempting, especially between tenancies, as those periods where the property is empty mean no source of income despite there still being outgoings like the mortgage payments, repairs, cleaning, etc.
Also, some landlords don’t mess around when it comes to managing keys for their property, knowing exactly how many copies there are and who has them. Others may use keyless entry systems or smart locks for their property, too, meaning there is no need to replace mechanical locks.
Conclusion
Changing locks offers both landlord and new tenants peace of mind that the property is safe and secure, a there’s always a risk that previous tenants still have copies of keys to the property, which they could use to gain access without the landlord’s knowledge or permission
If you want to keep your property safe and benefit from having great tenants in place, we suggest calling a local locksmith, such as Lock & Key, to handle all your lock-changing needs.